Is Almond Breeze® suitable for Vegans?

Where do your almonds come from?

The almonds are grown in orchards by Blue Diamond’s grower co-operative members in California, USA.

Why don’t you use local almonds?

The demand for local quality almonds has increased dramatically in South Africa over the past decade but supply cannot meet demand which means that currently the majority of almonds are imported. In addition, almonds sourced from the US and used in the Almond Breeze recipe need to be pasteurised via a process called ”blanching”. The blanching process is US FDA and USDA approved pasteurisation method which uses a very high temperature and requires the expertise of Blue Diamond with its 100 years’ plus experience in almond cultivation.

In what country is Almond Breeze® produced?

Almond Breeze® is produced in South Africa by Good Hope International Beverages (Pty) Ltd (GHIB) based in Milnerton, Cape Town. GHIB is known for producing high quality natural food and beverages and is HACCP, ISO 9001:2008 and FSSC 22000 certified.

Why do I need to shake the product?

Shaking Almond Breeze® before serving helps to maintain the product consistency. Shelf-life solids in Almond Breeze® such as calcium may settle to the bottom of the carton.

What are the different varieties of Almond Breeze available?

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Sweetened Original

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Unsweetened Original

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Sweetened Vanilla

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Unsweetened Vanilla

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Sweetened Chocolate

1 Litre Almond Breeze Almond Milk Barista Blend

What is the shelf life of the product?

9 Month shelf life when unopened.
Once opened, use within 5 days. Keep refrigerated.

Can I use Almond Breeze as an infant formula?

No. Almond Breeze® is not designed for the replacement of breast milk or infant formula.

Can it be given to Infants?

Almond Breeze® is not a replacement of breast milk and/or infant formula and is not suitable as a main milk drink for children under three. Consumers should consult a paediatrician about the use of Almond Breeze® for an infant.

Is it suitable for pregnant / breast feeding women?

Consumers should consult a physician about the use of Almond Breeze® during pregnancy or breast feeding.

How does Almond Breeze® compare to cow’s milk in its calcium and protein levels?

Almond Breeze® is a source of calcium and one serving (250ml) of almond milk will provide at least 25% of the South African Nutrient Reference Value for calcium. Even though almond milk does not contain the same levels of calcium or protein as cow’s milk, it is a good alternative for anyone looking to enhance their wellbeing and following a balanced diet.

Is Almond Breeze suitable for children?

Almond Breeze® is a healthy milk alternative suitable for the whole family. Almond Breeze does not specifically target children or mothers, it simply offers consumers – including mothers – another milk alternative to choose from. We believe mothers know their children’s needs best and will know whether Almond Breeze is right to include in their children’s diet.

What is the GI Index?

The glycaemic index or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates in food on blood sugar levels. It estimates how much each gram of available carbohydrate (total carbohydrate minus fibre) in a food raises a person’s blood glucose level following consumption of the food, relative to consumption of glucose. Glucose has a glycaemic index of 100, by definition, and other foods have a lower glycaemic index.

Is Almond Breeze considered to be a low Glycaemic Index (GI) product?

Yes. Unsweetened Almond Breeze® is considered to be a low Glycaemic Index (GI) product.

Does Almond Breeze® contain any dairy ingredients?

No.

Does Almond Breeze® contain any soy?

No.

Does Almond Breeze® contain any eggs?

No.

Does Almond Breeze® contain any peanuts?

No.

Is Almond Breeze® made in a peanut free factory?

Yes.

Are there any allergens present in the factory?

Yes, the factory produces various products made with soy and milk, but is FSSC 22000 certified with an allergen control program in place.

Any other nuts in the factory?

No, there are no other nuts processed in the factory.

Does Almond Breeze® contain wheat or gluten?

No. Almond Breeze® is gluten free – there is no added wheat or gluten.

How can I tell if the product turns bad?

Almond Breeze® products have mild and pleasant odours. If your Almond Breeze® does not look, smell and taste the way it should, it may be spoiled.
Signs of spoilage include:

Does Almond breeze contain any preservatives?

Does Almond Breeze® contain genetically engineered (GMO) almonds?

No. Blue Diamond uses only California almonds grown by our grower co-operative members without the use of genetic engineering or gene manipulation. The varieties of almonds used in Almond Breeze® were developed using traditional agricultural techniques.

What is the source of fat in Almond Breeze®?

The fat found in Original and Unsweetened Almond Breeze® comes primarily from the natural almond oil found in almonds with a small amount from vegetable oil found in the sunflower lecithin.
The fat found in Almond Breeze Barista Blend is the same as above – but a small amount of sunflower seed oil is added in order to enhance the creaminess and feel.

What is the source of sea salt used in Almond Breeze®?

The sea salt is high grade sodium chloride salt derived from the vacuum evaporation of solar salt brine derived directly from live sea water.

What is used to sweeten Almond Breeze®?

For sweetened Almond Breeze® products, Blue Diamond uses raw cane sugar which is the crystallised sucrose from the first pressing of sugar cane. It is unbleached and made with minimal processing. It has a unique, naturally sweet flavour. Unsweetened Almond Breeze® products have no sugar or artificial sweetener added.

Do the natural flavours in Almond Breeze® contain any artificial ingredients or colours?

No.

What is flavouring?

Flavouring is added to enhance product flavour. It includes the natural essence or extract obtained from a plant source.

Does Almond Breeze® contain carrageenan?

In South Africa we don’t use carrageenan in our Original and Unsweetened retail products – we use Gellan Gum.
Carrageenan is used in Almond Breeze Barista Blend sold in food service venues, Dis-Chem, Food Lover’s Market and Wellness Warehouse stores nationally.

What is the purpose of Sunflower Lecithin in the recipe?

Sunflower Lecithin is used as an emulsifier in Almond Breeze®. It gives the product a creamy taste and appearance.

What are the nutritional benefits of Almond Breeze?

Almond Breeze® makes managing your well-being easier. Almond Breeze® has no cholesterol and is suitable for vegans and people with dairy allergies or those who suffer from heart disease or high cholesterol. Furthermore, it is a source of calcium and contains vitamin A, D and E. It’s low glycaemic index (GI) and low level of saturated fat makes the unsweetened version of Almond Breeze a healthy non-dairy milk alternative suitable for diabetics.
Almond Breeze® is lactose free – making it easy to digest and a great substitute for dairy milk especially for the growing lactose-intolerant population in South Africa. Almond Breeze® is low in calories compared to milk or other milk alternative options. For example, Almond Breeze® Unsweetened contains less than half the calories of skim milk.
Almond Breeze® is made from almonds, a natural super-food and is perfect for people who are concerned about their health and well-being, and are actively looking for healthy alternatives that taste good. The long term health benefits of Almond Breeze® will depend on the individual consumer.

Can Almond Breeze® be used for baking and in recipes?

Are Almond Breeze® cartons recyclable?

Yes.

Is the carton microwavable?

No.

What is the carton made of?

Almond Breeze® container boards are made from South Africa regulatory approved virgin materials with a multi-layer structure and an oxygen barrier designed for extended shelf life applications. The ambient carton is laminated with a layer of aluminium which forms a barrier against oxygen, light and microorganisms to preserve the product without refrigeration and/or added preservatives. There is no leaching of aluminium or aluminium components through the plastic layer.

Does the carton contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?

Are Almond Breeze® products pasteurised?

Yes. Shelf-stable Almond Breeze® is produced via a UHT process. UHT or Ultra High Temperature eliminates all microorganisms to ensure the product is able to store at ambient temperature condition. This process is a closed process applying an Ultra High Temperature to achieve a commercially sterilised product and then packaged in a sterile container.

Are Blue Diamond almonds being processed with irradiation?

No.

How do you make the Almond Breeze® so creamy without adding dairy ingredients?

Almonds contain a high content of good fat that gives a naturally creamy feel and texture. Blue Diamond has developed a product formula and manufacturing process that delivers a mild tasting product with a smooth and creamy texture. Almond Breeze® is made with carefully selected almonds and the best quality ingredients which, when combined and processed in the proper ratios, results in a truly unique and great tasting product.

How should I store Almond Breeze®?

Unopened shelf-stable Almond Breeze® can be stored in your pantry unrefrigerated up until the “BEST BEFORE” date printed on top of the carton. After opening, keep Almond Breeze® in the middle of your refrigerator to prevent possible freezing. Avoid refrigerator door storage as it tends to have the biggest temperature change than any other part of the refrigerator. Once opened, Almond Breeze® is perishable and will spoil if not refrigerated.

How soon should I use Almond Breeze® after I open it?

Almond Breeze® should be used within 5 days of opening. Because Almond Breeze® does not contain preservatives, it is susceptible to spoilage after being opened for a prolonged period of time. Do not leave opened Almond Breeze® unrefrigerated for an extended period of time. Storage at room temperature will shorten the shelf life and just like regular dairy milk, Almond Breeze® will spoil if left unrefrigerated for too long. Blue Diamond does not recommend trying to extend the “Use Before” time frame of Almond Breeze® as they are not able to guarantee the quality of the product beyond this recommended time frame.

Can I freeze Almond Breeze®?

No. It is not recommended. Freezing Almond Breeze® causes the product to separate irregularly and this greatly reduces the visual appearance and consistency of the product upon thawing.

When I opened my refrigerated Almond Breeze® and poured it into the glass, I found the product was curdled and separated.

If the product had no signs of spoilage and “Best Before” date was current, the degraded appearance could possibly be caused by improper storage conditions. For example, if the product was frozen, it may have broken down and separated in curdled pieces once thawed.

How do I use it?

Almond Breeze® Barista Blend is just like any other milk made for café use. It can be used to heat milk for all coffee types and even to make non-dairy cold beverages such as milkshakes and smoothies.

What temperature do I heat Almond Breeze Barista Blend to if I am using it in my coffee?

We recommend you heat Almond Breeze® Barista Blend Almond Milk to 60˚C. This is a similar temperature used by South African barista’s for other dairy alternatives. However, some baristas have mentioned the optimal heating temperature is sometimes slightly below that of soy.

Does it stretch?

Yes! We’ve worked with some of the world’s leading cafes to ensure Almond Breeze® Barista Blend textures and stretches to make the perfect coffee. As you’ll see below it even allows you to create amazing coffee art with the foam!

How many coffee servings do I get out of a 1 litre carton?

Each 1L carton should yield at least 6 – 7 (250ml) standard size lattes and 4 – 5(350ml) large size lattes. This number of servings is calculated by adding the almond milk to the coffee.

How much do I heat at one time?

We recommend you only fill ⅔ of the milk jug when heating. This will ensure you leave enough room for any foam you require, which should expand the volume of the almond milk.

Can I re-heat Almond Milk?

For optimal flavour and quality, we do not recommend re-heating the almond milk.

How is Almond Breeze different to the rest of the almond milk category?

Almond Breeze® has been successful for over a decade internationally and is the world’s market leader in almond milk. Global focus groups discovered that milk consumers switched to Almond Breeze as it combines delicious taste with a number of health benefits. It is also a product that can be easily incorporated into your everyday diet e.g. Almond Breeze® can be used in cereals, smoothies, coffee and even in baking.

The almond milk and alternative category is growing rapidly. Are you comfortable with putting South African farmers out of business?

Almond Breeze® is probably not going to replace milk in most consumer households. What we have found is that Almond Breeze® is part of a portfolio of products in most consumer’s households and is used on certain occasions or in certain meals. In reality, Almond Breeze® will take up a very small percentage of the South African milk category and is unlikely to have an impact on the sustainability of South African dairy farmers. Almond Breeze® is proudly produced in Milnerton, Cape Town by Good Hope International Beverages (Pty) Ltd and, with the resulting creation of local employment, Almond Breeze® has shown its long term commitment to the South African market place.

A lot of health conscious people like to produce their own almond milk. What would you say to them so that they consider buying Almond Breeze?

Give Almond Breeze® a try. Like a lot of healthy foods, almond milk is a complex and time-consuming product to make. With Almond Breeze® we are offering a nutritious and tasty product that is very easy to incorporate into your daily diet. With its wide range of natural health benefits, Almond Breeze® makes managing your well-being easier and more convenient.

Is almond milk healthier than soy milk?

Almond milk is a great tasting alternative to milk with added health benefits which will be very appealing for some consumers.

Almond Breeze® has been very successful in the US and other markets, but why do you think the product will be popular in South Africa?

Almond Breeze® caters to people looking for a delicious and nutritious alternative to cow’s milk. Consumers worldwide are increasingly looking for more choices and Almond Breeze is offering South Africans an alternative that has a wide range of natural health benefits, but also tastes good. Even though soy, rice, and other non-dairy milk alternatives are available in South Africa, market research has shown that there are some gaps in the market that Almond Breeze will fill.

Are you planning to introduce an organic version of Almond Breeze?

Blue Diamond is currently not planning to introduce an organic version of Almond Breeze®.

Are you planning to introduce any other flavours of Almond Breeze®?

Almond Breeze sells a variety of flavoured options internationally which may be introduced to consumers in South Africa at some point in the future.

Who is Blue Diamond?

Blue Diamond Growers is the world’s largest almond farmer’s cooperative. Founded in 1910, the Blue Diamond cooperative, also known as The Almond People, has over 100 years expertise in growing and harvesting almonds. Blue Diamond led the development of California’s almond industry from a minor domestic specialty crop to the world leader in almond production and marketing. Headquartered in Sacramento, California, over 3,000 growers deliver almonds annually to the cooperative.

Who is Good Hope International Beverages (GHIB)?

GHIB is a state of the art UHT manufacturing facility located in Montague Gardens, Cape Town. The product range includes Dewlands 100% Fruit Juices; the Good Hope Range of Soy beverages including Good Hope Regular, Unsweetened, SuperSoy (enriched) MA and Shakes.

What is gellan gum?

Gellan gum is formed by linking many individual sugar units into larger particles. Nutritionally, gellan gum is considered a soluble fibre in both the US and EU.

How is gellan gum made?

It’s produced in sterile tanks under careful process control. Nutrients, including sugars, proteins and trace minerals are combined, then fermented to produce gellan gum.

Why do they call it a gum?

The term “gum” is used in the food industry to describe a category of ingredients that either thicken or gel water.

Why is gellan gum used in Almond Breeze?

Gellan gum is used extensively for suspension in beverages. In Almond Breeze, it’s used to suspend calcium. When Almond Breeze is shaken, any settled calcium will be put back into suspension, held there by gellan gum. Therefore, gellan gum in Almond Breeze enables the consumer to receive the amount of calcium promised on the label in every glass.

Is the vitamin D in your almond milk derived from plants or animals? (Some vitamin D comes from sheep/lanolin.)

The vitamin D used in Almond Breeze is derived from plant origin.

Do the Almond Breeze products share a production line with any non-vegan (honey/dairy milk/egg/meat/fish) products?

Yes, Almond Breeze is produced on the same production line as some dairy based products produced by us. However, Good Hope International Beverages has a state-of-the-art ‘Aseptic’ packaging facility with fully automated CIP (Cleaning in Place). ‘Aseptic’ packaging is what allows us to achieve a 9-12 month shelf life without the use of any preservatives. In essence, ‘Aseptic’ packaging implies that all equipment / packaging material / product must be free of any bacteria (germs) and microbiological organisms, let alone residues of the previous production batch…
Our CIP cycle consist of the following steps:

Pre-Rinse with ‘grey’ water (from previous final rinse): 3 minutes at 15,000L per hour

Caustic wash: 10 minutes at 82°C

Intermediate rinse with clean water: 4 minutes at 15,000L per hour

Acid wash: 10 minutes at 70°C

Final rinse with clean water: 6 minutes at 15,000L per hour

Thus, it is not possible for any residues from the previous production batch to be present in any of our equipment after completion of a CIP cycle.
Then, before we can commence with the next production batch, there is an automated “Sterile Water Cycle”, where super-heated water (132°C) is circulated through all the equipment for a further 90 minutes. Accordingly, there is zero chance that any residues from the previous production batch can be present in any of our equipment by the time production of the next production batch commences, guaranteed.